President Trump along with Colombia's president have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains in their relations after US forces struck Venezuela with the aim of deposing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He runs cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Growing Tensions and Claims
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Trump hinted at similar military action against Colombia, claiming the nation is also "very ill" and “run by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the United States."
While Colombia remains the world’s largest source of the narcotic, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Partnership
The country for decades served as a key ally of the United States in the fight against drug trafficking and enjoyed cross-party backing in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened markedly following Trump came to office.
Its illicit drug economy is largely controlled by illegal armed groups such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), the majority of whose members laid down arms after a historic peace agreement.
Colombia's Firm Response
In response to a query if a military operation similar to Venezuela was a possibility regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "I like the sound of that to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who left armed struggle decades ago, firmly denied Trump's claims. "I am neither an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he declared.
"Trump speaks without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he posted in a message.
"If US bombs target rural communities, they will turn into thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the president, whom a large part of the country loves and respects, they will release the ‘jaguar’ of the people," the president cautioned.
From Guerrilla to Statesman
Petro spent part of his youth belonging in the left-wing M-19 guerrilla group although reports indicate that he never engaged in fighting. Following his disarmament, he was involved in writing a new constitution over three decades ago subsequently becoming a respected lawmaker. He served as mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I pledged to abstain from using arms again ... but for Colombia I will take up the fight," he said.
Increased Security and Broad Condemnation
The Colombian defence minister reported that the national leader's security detail had received additional support.
Many among Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump, yet figures from across the ideological divide have condemned the threats of American military action against their nation.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
The US withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US military personnel to disobey orders that violate law. Later, in October, it placed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and various close collaborators.
Concurrently the US was building up its military presence in the region and striking alleged narcotics traffickers to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, American military assets executed attacks against vessels in Pacific waters off the Colombian coast.
